Job Discussion Forums

Prog Rocker · Joined: 07 Sep 2010 Posts: 33 Location: SE Asia

Hi there,

Looking for teaching posts where the salary can support a family - spouse and children.

Primarily SE Asia, but also consider Japan. I already know about Brunei - any other places known to offer similar deals?

Packages that offer flights for all, medical, maybe housing allowance? School fees allowance are much rarer - not expecting to find that.

We can live humbly, but the average 'backpacker EFL' post wouldn't be enough.

Any pointers much appreciated!

tttompatz

Prog Rocker · Joined: 07 Sep 2010 Posts: 33 Location: SE Asia

No - you haven't broken a bubble! Maybe just an old view of EFL jobs as they were. It's 11 years since I taught EFL abroad. As for quals etc, I have all the usual 1st Degree, QTS, CELTA, Dip, and about 12 years teaching. Plenty to bring to any table that'll have me.

Actually I've just had a hunt around - British Council in Malaysia goes up to 10K RM a month. This is nice, but take out rent & schooling fees...

I lived on a lot less before, but now, having 3 children, international school fees are what worries me! How did you manage that, if you don't mind me asking? (and assuming you have school age children)

Thanks

Perilla · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 792 Location: Hong Kong

Take a look at the HK govt's NET scheme (just Google it). It doesn't offer schooling for your kids as with CfBT, but the salaries are rather higher, esp. for someone with experience and QTS etc. Better would be one of the HK international schools, inc the ESF schools, which do offer schooling and other benefits, but consequently a harder nut to crack. There are plenty of expat teachers here with kids. ESF usually advertises in December for next school year (Sept).

KayuJati · Joined: 21 Feb 2010 Posts: 313

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Don't even think about Japan. Even with a degree and 12 years of teaching experience, you're not going to support a spouse and 3 kids (in international school, no less) on a starting salary.

Just what sort of job did you want in TEFL? Is your spouse willing/able to work?

tttompatz · Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2010 1:04 am Post subject:

School age kids = check.
International school = "0". There are other decent options for schooling in English that are NOT the high priced "international schools".

IF you work at a real school (not a language academy) they may offer an "all English" or mostly English curriculum.

There are also other "private" schools as compared to publicly funded schools where your children will learn in both English (typically maths, English and the sciences) and the local language for the soft subjects (local language, social studies, PE, health, etc). (our choice) We pay about $600 per child per year ($50/month) for this option.

Depending on the ages of your kids and their desire to move abroad and whether or not your spouse will be working there is also the option of home schooling through a recognized correspondence course (typically about $1000 per academic year per student).

With your qualifications you might also want to look at places like Taiwan where, with home country teaching certifications, you can land a position in a public school (from abroad) with salaries in the range of US$2500-3000 + benefits (air, housing, etc).

As mentioned, Hong Kong (NET) is another option.
Other countries public school systems, IB/international schools and private schools (NOT language academies) in many places also offer decent options (based in the local economies) for teachers. As long as you are not needing to pay off bills at home that are more than about $500 per month it is certainly do-able. It just takes some time, effort, research and moxy to make the jump.

Oh, and the family has to be on-side 100% or you can kiss the dream goodbye. Nothing will rip you apart faster than a family fight over moving to some strange culture and having a good dose of culture shock rise up and strike you all in the face. You're not a 20-something back-packer any more.

.

Prog Rocker · Joined: 07 Sep 2010 Posts: 33 Location: SE Asia

roamingteacher · Joined: 16 Apr 2009 Posts: 106

Prog Rocker · Joined: 07 Sep 2010 Posts: 33 Location: SE Asia

Thanks roamingteacher - I'd just emailed you before reading this post. Maybe you're right!

Perilla · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 792 Location: Hong Kong

Reading the last posts ... it's funny how traditional EFL jobs take on a romantic/nostalgic appearance once you've escaped. Let's face it, 95% of mainstream EFL jobs are poorly paid and/or deeply unsatisfying.

Regarding international schools in SE Asia, HK and Singa offer the best, I imagine.

wailing_imam · Joined: 31 Mar 2006 Posts: 580 Location: Malaya

Singapore. Get your kids into the local schools, plenty of other ang moh kids in Singapore state schools.

Prog Rocker · Joined: 07 Sep 2010 Posts: 33 Location: SE Asia

Has anyone heard of either KYS college in Malaka or the new school in PJ, Sri KDU (not the KDU college but the primary/secondary)?

celtica · Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 137

In answer to your original query.......Visit this website ....ex CEO of Cfbt Brunei. Advertising for a lot of positions- sound interesting!

http://www.brightoneducation.org/about_us.html

PlS Let us know if/how you do - interested to see what it is all about!

Prog Rocker · Joined: 07 Sep 2010 Posts: 33 Location: SE Asia

Hi Celtica

Thanks for that - what a find! Very Happy

I've heard about the government scheme to get teacher trainers to help Malaysian teachers. I've seen British Council & Nord Anglia advertise this earlier in the year.

I'm looking into BEG and will let you know what happens...

Shifting over the border to Brunei, have you heard of the new proposals and teaching opportunities from the MoRA? (Ministry of Religious Affairs)? Seems to be a few things springing up.